oct 18, 1867 - The Purchase of Alaska

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Alaska had long been a disputed territory between Russia and Great Britain, and though Russia officially assumed control of it in the 19th century, they sill feared an attack from Britain and were eager to find someone to buy the territory off of their hands as it was becoming a financial burden. They managed to attract the attention of Secretary of State William H. Seward, who began to lobby support for the purchase of the vast territory in Congress. Thus, in March of 1867, the U.S. bought Alaska for just $7.2 million. Despite the low price (considering the amount of land), most Americans still viewed the purchase as a mistake and a waste since much of Alaska frigid and largely barren – but Alaska would later be discovered to have an abundance of valuable natural resources like gold and oil.

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